My favorite part of Portage Valley, Alaska is the old growth spruce forest. I love how all of the branches have a thick layer of moss on them.
The almost completely full harvest moon as it is about to set behind the mountain side. You can see my snow tracks in the image. What you can't see is how deep the snow is. I stand around 6 foot 3 inches. The snow in this area was came up to mid stomach on me. I was surprised that the the snow was already so deep this early in the season. To the right are the fog covered lights of Anchorage, Alaska
The galactic core of the milky way has been photographed so much. I thought that I would give the tail end of the milky way a little attention. Combined with the high thin cloud cover, a dreamy effect occurs.
Winter moon lighting the landscape of the Denali Highway
The moon trying it's best to imitate the brightness of the sun.
Panorama of the milky way over the mountains of Hatcher Pass Independence Mine.
Beautiful patterns in the snow at Bird Point, AK. Took this picture as at the beginning of my 2 hour snowshoe hike.
A few night shots of Independence mine in Hatcher Pass with a almost full moon in the background
View of Seward Highway looking into the sun toward Bird Point.
Simple long exposure panorama of the incoming tide of Turnagain Arm
Loved the reflection and background mountains in this shot.
The almost full harvest moon over the farm fields of Palmer
Went looking for northen lights at Hatcher Pass. All I found were tons of stars and the milky way.
One of the buildings at Hatcher pass covered in snow. The soft glow on the left are the city lights of Palmer, Alaska
No northern lights. No problem. On a dark night like this I will gladly shoot the milky way. This is 4 images shot at high ISO stacked together to reduce noise. I got lucky that a meteor flashed me.
The city lights of Palmer, Alaska can be seen from Historic Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass. The full moon was a great off camera light that lit up the foreground.
A few night shots of Independence mine in Hatcher Pass with a almost full moon in the background
The forces of nature can sculpt some pretty amazing artwork. Fortunately I was able to capture it to share with you. I intented for the mountains in the distance to be sloghtly out of focus. I wanted all the attention on the snow in the foreground
The light and shadows just after sunrise.
The mon was shining so bright. Reflecting off the snow made it almost seem like daylight.
Exploring the shoreline of Portage Lake
I went to Hatcher Pass last night to capture the Auroras. From the looks of it so did everyone else. There were easily 50 cars parked at the parking lot below. Of course the auroras didn't make an appearance.
The always picturesque Eklutna Tailrace at night. The Tailrace is the spill water from The Eklutna hydroelectric plant. The lights from the palnt can be seen in the distance. Not sure how the tailrace got its name.
After I proccessed this image of the milky way over Hatcher Pass
Made another trip up to Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass. Fortunately this time the moon had not risen yet. The city lights of Palmer were the only light source. It cast an eeriy glow on the old abandoned buildings of the Historic Independence Mine.
The sunrise wasn't that amazing when I stopped at this spot. What I first noticed was the smooth flowing waves of the outgoing tide. As I was setting up my camera to get the shot I noticed the wind blown patterns in the snow looked similar to the waves. Luckily I saw this when I did. Two photographers that arrived at this spot just as I was taking this picture did not notice the patterns in the snow and stepped all over them.
Panorama shot of a frozen Bird Creek. I learned a vaulable lesson while shooting here. Don't remove things like lens caps while standing near railing over a creek. Somerwhere in the ocean is a Nikon camera lens cap.
Standing in the middle of the icy cold creek trying to capture a beter angle of Portage Glacier. The beginning of our hike I was doubtful that I would get a decent shot because of the clouds. By the time we got down to Portage lake the clouds opened up creating beautiful light.
Who's ready for winter? Here in Anchorage the mountain tops are covered in a light dusting of snow. Sooner than later the snow will make its way down to the Anchorage bowl. I personally am not ready for winter.
The crescent moon and Venus were shining bright last night. I captured a quick shot while waiting for the northern lights to show. The orangie city lights of Anchorage also lit up the night sky. This was taken near Twenty-Mile River, Alaska
Wind carved snow at Bird Point, Alaska
Hatcher Pass view from Independence Mine. The moon was so bright that there was no need for a flashlight.
Sun halo over Turnagain Arm.
The crescent moon sits on top of a mountain along Turnagain Arm
Probably the most hiked mountain trail in Anchorage, Alaska. Flat top mountain is a short drive from downtown Anchorage. On a cold moonlit night, there aren't too many people brave enough to hike the snowy mountain.
My camera bag wanted to strike a pose in front of Portage Glacier
The Historic Independence Mine, in Hatcher Pass, Alaska, sits quietly under the stars.
Shot of the Milky Way over Independence mine in Hatcher Pass, AK
An angled shot of the Mine Managers's house at Independence Mine. The glowing light to the right of the house comes from the city lights of Palmer.
The wind patterns resemble waves in the water.
A few night shots of Independence mine in Hatcher Pass with a almost full moon in the background
Sun Halo over Beluga Point
